‘The only way is up’ says Reilly

THOMAS REILLY had to hit rock bottom before he could start climbing again.

Now the Elgin City star is aiming to prove his doubters wrong by clinching a return to full- time football.

Reilly was dumped on to the scrapheap by St Mirren in 2015 after relegation to the Championship.

Having experienced the euphoria of the Buddies’ League Cup win and winning caps for Scotland’s Under- 19s, he suddenly found himself in the basement of Scottish football with Elgin.

But after two standout seasons at Borough Briggs, he is focused on fighting his way back to the top.

The PFA Scotland League Two Player of the Year nominee said: “I want to prove everyone wrong after not getting another full-time club. I said I had to use that as motivation.

“I was down for a few weeks when I left St Mirren. I’d been there since I was 13. It was a club that meant a lot to me.

“To go from that to the ultimate low was something I had to move on from quickly.”

So far, he has succeeded in doing so at Elgin. But he admits he struggled initially to deal with his plummet down the leagues.

“It was a lot to get my head around at the time,” said the 22-year-old.

“I didn’t feel part of St Mirren’s League Cup win because I was injured at the time.

“I tried to join in with the celebrations but it wasn’t the same.

“Gary Teale was interim manager. Ian Murray asked me to stay for pre-season but there was nothing on offer for me.

“I trained with Falkirk for a couple of weeks but Peter Houston was honest enough to say they had too many similar players.

“I went straight to Elgin and I’m glad that I did.

“I don’t think this season’s award nomination proves anyone wrong.

“But the nomination’s another step in the ladder.

“It’s an honour given the players I’m up against.

“One day I’ll get to where I want to be.”